Ok, I'm sure you've all seen similar posts but I need help and advice. My daughter has a series on quirky behaviors and I'm not sure what to chalk up to a phase or sensory issues etc. Sometimes these occur in all in the same day or sporadically. She complains she feels like she has to pee but can't, she complains she can't get her self wiped well enough (it feels wet) and wants to use tons of toilet paper and yesterday the new one was wanting to wash her hands alot, they felt sticky, and wanted me to do it for her. She gets' really frustrated and starts to fall apart and I try to calm her and get through it. What's going on? Help, I'm kind of beside myself some days.
She is 4/12 years old. I suppose it could be the age. I'm definitely not experienced with preschoolers. Today she just had a small issue in the morning with the wiping thing and then moved on with her day, so maybe I'm overreacting, it just seesm like some days it balls up and she gets so frustrated. Thanks for your comments.
I have a 3.5 yr old who does some of these same things and I think it's just typical pre-shool quirkiness. As long as you don't think she has a UTI I think it's normal.
Good luck!
It's possible she has sensory issues and/or OCD, something else entirely, or nothing. Don't try to guess on your own. The best person to determine what might be going on is a doctor. I would start with her pediatrician and get a referral to a specialist if necessary.
To be on the safe side, take your daughter to the pediatrician. You'll feel better knowing what is really going on. Take care.
Both my daughters went through this kind of a phase when they became responsible for their own wiping and washing at about age 5. They want to be so grown up but also want to remain little girls, and it is frustrating when they cannot do things as well as mom does it for them. Also, they worried that they might have to go if we left and would try to pee when they really did not have to. For both my girls (they are 3 years apart) I just added a pantyliner one morning when we just had to go and the bathroom routine was lasting a long time, and that seemed to do the trick. That way the oldest no longer worried that she was not dry or clean enough. Then a few years later when the youngest was going through a very similar phase, I just gave her a pantyliner. Now they each have a box in their underwear drawer and wear them almost every day. Small price to pay for independence. I did teach them to wipe front-to-back, because bad hygiene can cause irritation and UTI's, etc. so perhaps have that checked to be sure. The youngest (now 10) also uses Vaseline at night down there since her skin it ULTRA sensitive and we went multiple times to the pediatrician when she complained that it stung when she peed, and doctor explained that 1) bad pee over good skin can sting, and 2) good pee over bad(sensitive) skin can sting. Since all her UTI tests were negative the second was happening, Adding a layer of Vaseline in the evening helped protect her skin so that her morning urine no longer stings. Who knew we would have to almost be doctors to take care of kids!
Added note: the school toilet paper is very harsh and that was also adding to the stinging feeling - she now grabs a tissue before going to the school bathroom or just dabs.
The sticky think sounds like she just does not like sticky hands. I would speak to the pediatrician first about the not being able to pee and feeling like she had to, that is not right. She may have some sensory issues, and may need to seek out some OT, if there is nothing phsyical. OT's can work wonders with just a little therapy.
M.
Ahhh i would say normal. I have a girl who just turned at the end of NOV. Oh boy-she washes her hands all the time-i go thru so much soap-LOL! The wiping is just like mine except she does not get upset she just has to have it dry and when i wipe she tells me to do it really fast and really hard so it is not wet anymore-LOL! And the toilet paper-same here, but I use alot too-LOL! Just relax and help her through it. L.:)
The not being able to pee thing is strange but the other things sound like sort of typical toddler stuff. It's hard to know without knowing her age. Also, does she get very upset by feeling sticky or is she just telling you she feels that way maybe so she can keep washing. Both of my boys hate to be sticky and the one loves to play in water so he would often keep telling me he wad dirty so he could play in the sink.
You didn't mention her age, but it does sound like it could be some sort of OCD...but if she's a preschooler, well then it could be chalked up to that too. My 3 y/o uses a TON of toilet paper too and there are days when she washes her hands for 10 minutes every time, but if you feel like maybe there's something more going on, I would check it out. Talk to your pediatrician and go from there.
